Original Eiffel Tower staircase section to be auctioned by Artcurial

Section No. 1 of the original helical staircase from the Eiffel Tower, dating from 1889, will be sold by Artcurial on May 21, 2026. The staircase once connected the second and third floors, offering a physical ascent experience before elevators became standard. It was removed during the 1983 modernization. The 2.75-meter-high, 1.75-meter-diameter steel and riveted sheet metal piece includes 14 steps on a cruciform base. It was the first lot in the landmark December 1, 1983 auction held directly from the tower by Ader, Picard and Tajan, which dispersed the technical elements as collectibles. The segment has remained in the same private collection for over forty years, ensuring provenance continuity. Its restoration was carried out by the workshops responsible for tower maintenance. The twenty original staircase sections have since entered private collections and iconic sites worldwide, with prices varying by lot number and provenance. Previous Artcurial sales include a section for €212,458 in 2013, No. 13 for €523,800 in 2016, No. 4 for €162,500 in 2018, and No. 17 for €253,500 in 2020.